Some of my smarter readers may have figured out that as part of my job at the Crescent, I get to attend every H-BC School Board meeting.Prior to working for the newspaper, I had never been to a school board meeting. I didn’t have any idea what to expect when I showed up at my first meeting in November of 2004 (just about a year ago).Fortunately for me, the board members were all very nice and hospitable and did not seem to mind my presence – plus they usually provide some of my juicier news stories.For instance, during my first meeting last year the board informed district residents about a referendum that would appear on voting ballots the next week.So every other week, I get my notebook and a very trustworthy pen and journey up to the high school for a formal meeting with some of the town’s elected officials. Next week when I arrive, they will be finishing an election that will decide the fate of four individuals’ Monday nights for the next four years.Since I am at every meeting, I know that over the course of the last year, there have only been outside visitors at three meetings — and just to help illustrate my point, two of the visitors were H-BC teachers.Therefore, I think it would be safe for me to assume that most of the voting public doesn’t know what happens during a school board meeting. I am writing today to tell voters that what happens in the library for about an hour every other week is important.Board members decide on many issues in a school district, and in small towns those decisions affect everyone.In addition to putting a successful referendum on the ballot last year, they approved a new science curriculum, lobbied the state for better education finance, passed a balanced budget, approved a number of policy changes and worked with H-BC staff on salaries and improvements for students.The four candidates selected in this election will join a strong team of leaders in our community. Their responsibilities will be great.I have been involved in many "off the record" conversations about the possibility of building a new high school building sometime in the future.It is very likely that the candidates voters elect will be involved in deciding when and what kind of building will be built.Americans should always cherish their right to vote. It is what gives us a voice in our governments and communities. No election should be judged too small or too big to participate.I would venture to guess that some voters will avoid the polls on Tuesday night because there aren’t any national or state elections. In my opinion, those voters are part of a vast wasteland in our democratic system.One vote is always important, but when it is one vote of less than 500 potential voters, it is extremely important.In a small community, every vote truly does matter and when voting on community issues, the elections should have more meaning to the residents, not less.The five brave and empowered candidates deserve our time on Tuesday night. They are willing to commit themselves to our community and to our youth, and we should be willing to be an informed public committed to voting.Over the past couple of weeks, the candidates took time to answer several questions about their lives and their desire to be a part of the H-BC School Board. I encourage residents of the district to read their answers and become informed voters. Story ideas or comments can be e-mailed to Lexi Moore at lexim@star-herald.com or called in at 962-3561.